News Room

Time’s Up: CRA’s 100 Day Mandate for Improvement

After years of frustration on the part of tax professionals and taxpayers alike, the Finance Minister ordered the Canada Revenue Agency to clean up its act in 100 days. Specifically, the improvement plan was to run from September 2 through December 11. Finance Minister and Minister of National Revenue, Francoise-Phillippe Champagne instructed CRA to fix “unacceptable wait times and service delays.” Time’s up this week and CRA has released an update on progress. What gets measured, gets done. Let’s see what CRA’s metrics show. 

Evelyn Jacks: Gifts that keep giving

It’s Christmas time and the spirit of giving fills the frosty air, at least here in Manitoba, where we are surely in for a traditional, cold winter.

How the “hallmarks” apply to proposed anti-avoidance rules

Proposed changes to the Income Tax Act will oblige taxpayers to report “avoidance transactions” if the transactions include two of three existing “hallmarks.”

First-quarter interest rates

The prescribed annual interest rate that will apply to any amounts owed to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) is 5% for the first quarter of 2013, unchanged from the previous quarter.

Claim tax credits in year paid

Claims for the Children’s Arts and Children’s Fitness tax credits are based on when the payment is made, not the year in which the activities are scheduled.

Featured Tool: EverGreen Explanatory Notes

EverGreen is your in-office research department. Get ready to be more efficient this tax season with a click of a mouse. Register for the free demo now!

Featured Book: MASTER Your Philanthropy

Help your clients create a charitable giving plan that both meaningfully supports their cause and complements their overall wealth management strategy in a tax-effective manner. KBR readers receive $5 off if they order before December 17.
 
 
 
Knowledge Bureau Poll Question

It costs a lot more to go to work these days. Should the Canada Employment Credit of $1501 for 2026 be raised higher to account for this?

  • Yes
    35 votes
    87.5%
  • No
    5 votes
    12.5%